About Me

Baby boomer. Have been in accounting for 28+ years and am now reconnoitering to a new midlife career change in the challenging field of Adult marginal and early literacy which I consider related.To preview the details of my company go to http://www.manta.com/c/mm89pvd/g-e-enterprises-and-associates-llc

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

The Tree

Inspiration & Entertainment » Tales from the Past » From the Midrash

The Tree

Talmud, Taanit 5b

Share

PrintE-mail Discuss (25) A man was travelling through the desert, hungry, thirsty and tired, when he came upon a tree bearing luscious fruit and affording plenty of shade, underneath which ran a spring of water. He ate of the fruit, drank of the water and rested beneath the shade.

When he was about to leave, he turned to the tree and said: “Tree, O tree, with what should I bless you?

“Should I bless you that your fruit be sweet? Your fruit is already sweet.

“Should I bless you that your shade be plentiful? Your shade is plentiful. That a spring of water should run beneath you? A spring of water runs beneath you.

“There is one thing with which I can bless you: May it be G‑d’s will that all the trees planted from your seeds should be like you . . .”

Talmud, Taanit 5b

Image: detail from an illustration by Chassidic artist Michoel Muchnik.